Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actor. Called the King of Pop, his contributions to music and dance, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades.

The eighth child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene along with his elder brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon as a member of the Jackson 5 in 1964, and began his solo career in 1971. In the early 1980s, Jackson became a dominant figure in popular music. The music videos for his songs, including those of "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Thriller" from his 1982 album Thriller, were credited with breaking down racial barriers and with transforming the medium into an art form and promotional tool. The popularity of these videos helped to bring the then-relatively-new television channel MTV to fame. His 1987 album Bad spawned the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles "I Just Can't Stop Loving You", "Bad", "The Way You Make Me Feel", "Man in the Mirror", and "Dirty Diana", becoming the first album to have five number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. With videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream", he continued to innovate the medium throughout the 1990s, as well as forging a reputation as a touring solo artist. Through stage and video performances, Jackson popularized a number of complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk, to which he gave the name. His distinctive sound and style has influenced numerous artists of various music genres.

Michael Jackson (linebacker)

Jackson was born in Pasco, Washington. A 1975 graduate of Pasco High School, he has enjoyed greater success and accumulated more career achievements than any other Bulldog. A three-year/three-sport letterman, he was the team captain in both football and baseball while garnering All-State honors and receiving the Denning Award for Outstanding Athlete by the Pasco Jaycees as a senior.

At the University of Washington, Jackson earned four varsity letters and was named to their All-Centennial Football Team. He was also selected as the Inland Empire Amateur Athlete of the Year in 1977, a season in which he helped lead the Huskies to the Rose Bowl. The eyes of the nation were on him during that game as he made a vital end zone interception that helped seal Washington ’s victory over the University of Michigan.

Jackson holds several defensive school records for the Huskies, including single season (210) and career (569) tackles. Among the several honors he received for the U of W include Sports Illustrated Player of the Week (11-12-77), Husky Team Captain (1978), All Pac-8 & Pac-10 Linebacker (1977–78) and several All-American selections.

In 2002, Jackson was sent out on loan by manager Steve Cotterill to non-league side, Weston-super-Mare. Jackson was then released by Cheltenham along with five other players.

In June 2002, after a successful trial, Jackson joined Welsh side Swansea City. Jackson made just a single appearance for Swansea as a substitute in a home win over Southend United. Jackson was released and returned to non-league football with Bath City in November 2002 when new Swansea City manager, Brian Flynn, revealed Jackson and two others were not part of his plans at the club.

Michael Jackson (American Revolution)

General Michael Jackson (18 December 1734– 10 April 1801) was a soldier from Massachusetts. He is best remembered for his innovation within the printing industry and has been compared to Matthew Grainger. Jackson and Grainger were the first to perfect the use of diecutting and glass UV on offset machines.

Michael Jackson (journalist)

In the 1970s and 1980s, he was government printer and government press photographer in Niue. He published the Tohi Tala Niue, Niue's government-owned weekly newspaper. In 1991, he set up a private printing business, and, in 1993, launched the weekly Niue Star, which is now the country's only printed newspaper. Jackson is the Star’s owner, editor, journalist and photographer.

Also in 1993, Jackson stood successfully for Parliament in that year's general election. He later became an associate minister, and remained a member of Parliament until 2008, when he was defeated in the general election. He stated that there was "no conflict of interest" between his being a journalist and a member of government, because "we have a law to prevent us MPs from taking advantage of our positions".

He is reportedly better known in Niue than his internationally more famous namesake, to the point that, when news of singer Michael Jackson's death reached Niue in July 2009, "most residents of the remote coral atoll (sic) thought that it was him who had died".